What is the composition and dosage of Junior Lanzol (Lansoprazole) for children?

Junior Lanzol (Lansoprazole) Composition and Dosage for Children

Junior Lanzol contains lansoprazole, a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), with a recommended pediatric dosage of 0.7-3.0 mg/kg/day for children aged 1 year and older. 1

Composition

Junior Lanzol contains lansoprazole as its active ingredient, which belongs to the proton pump inhibitor class of medications used to reduce gastric acid production.

Dosage Recommendations by Age Group

Children 1 Year and Older

• Recommended dosage range: 0.7-3.0 mg/kg/day 1
• Maximum daily dose: 30 mg 2
• Administration: Once daily

Children 5 Years and Older

• Fixed doses of 20 mg or 40 mg once daily may be used, similar to adult dosing 3

Children 1-5 Years

• Approximately 0.6-1.2 mg/kg once daily 3
• Available in formulations that can be sprinkled onto soft foods or select juices 1

Infants Under 1 Year

• Not recommended for routine use in infants under 1 year due to:
  • Lack of proven efficacy in placebo-controlled trials 3
  • Potential increased risk of respiratory infections 3
  • Limited safety data in this age group

Formulations for Children

Junior Lanzol is typically available in child-friendly formulations:

• Sprinkle capsules (contents can be mixed with soft foods)
• Orally disintegrating tablets (strawberry-flavored)
• Administration options for children who cannot swallow pills:
  • Capsule contents can be sprinkled onto soft foods
  • Can be administered through nasogastric tube (≥8 French) 1

Clinical Considerations

Safety Profile

• Generally well-tolerated in children 1-11 years of age 2
• Common treatment-related adverse events include:
  • Constipation (reported in approximately 4.5% of children)
  • Headache (reported in approximately 3% of children) 2

Pharmacokinetic Considerations

• Age-dependent pharmacokinetics observed in pediatric patients 4
• Children may require higher per-kilogram doses than adults to achieve similar plasma concentrations 5
• No significant accumulation observed after 5 days of administration 4

Monitoring

• Monitor for potential side effects including headaches, diarrhea, constipation, and nausea
• For long-term use, consider monitoring serum gastrin levels, which may increase with PPI therapy 2

Important Cautions

• The American Academy of Pediatrics expresses concern about the dramatic increase in PPI prescriptions for infants 3
• PPIs should be reserved for children with documented acid-related disorders, not for non-specific symptoms 3
• Always rule out other causes of symptoms before initiating PPI therapy in children

Junior Lanzol should be used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration necessary to achieve symptom control in pediatric patients with GERD or other acid-related conditions.